Underage Teen and Adult Charged in Main Event Shooting

Albuquerque –

APD charged two suspects for the murder on April 19, 2026, at the Main Event entertainment center in Northeast Albuquerque.

Detectives arrested 17-year-old Wyatt Drake this week. Drake is accused of fatally shooting Isaiah Jackson-Herrera, 28, during an altercation outside of the Main Event.

Detectives previously charged Kevin Vargas, 21, for his role in the shooting. He was arrested on April 21 in Hobbs.

The victim, Jackson-Herrera, was with family and friends as they walked out of Main Event, located at 4040 Pan American Fwy., N.E., around 1:30 a.m. Surveillance video showed the group walk past two people, later identified as Drake and Vargas, on the side of the building.

Drake and Vargas were escorted out of the Main Event shortly before that encounter after management noticed Drake had a firearm sticking out of his backpack. They were hanging out on the sidewalk, eating food they purchased from Main Event.

Main Event has a few policies on it’s website stating no one under the age of 21 after 11PM and no guns. At the Albuquerque location, Main Event has armed security.

As Jackson-Herrera walked by Drake and Vargas – one standing and the other sitting on the sidewalk – he turned back to face them. Jackson-Herrera’s girlfriend later told detectives the man who was standing with the backpack said something and Jackson-Herrera responded, “What did you say?” The girlfriend said the men started fighting and the man with the backpack pulled out a gun and shot Jackson-Herrera. He fell to the ground.

Jackson-Herrera said one of the men said, “That’s why you don’t fuck with little kids nigga.” She said the men turned and ran away as she recorded them on her phone.

When detectives later questioned Vargas, he said after Drake and Jackson-Herrera exchanged words, Jackson-Herrera swung at Drake and Drake either pushed or hit Jackson-Herrera, and both fell down. Vargas said Drake reached for his firearm, and Jackson-Herrera also reached for the gun. He said that’s when Drake shot Jackson-Herrera.

APD officers arrived a few minutes after the shooting and attempted first-aid. Rescue personnel later determined Jackson-Herrera died as a result of the gunshot wound.

Drake is charged with an open count of murder, tampering with evidence, conspiracy, and unlawful possession of a handgun by a minor.

Vargas is charged with an open count of murder and conspiracy.